Tuesday, November 16, 2010

More Phone Commercial "Wisdom"

I don't know what it is with cell phone commercials, but I've seen a couple more that have good (again, I think unintentional) social commentaries. The first is for the new Windows phones. I ask the same question of Microsoft that they ask repeatedly of phone users in the commercial: "Really?" I mean, really, Microsoft? You're trying to sell us a cell phone because it will reduce our use of cell phones? Exact quote: "It's time for a phone to save us from our phones." Really?

But the second one I just saw this morning, and it gets right to the heart of the matter:

The question is a good one: "Why won't you look me in the eye, Marty?"

I am for sure guilty of hiding behind technology, but I know that I'm not alone. I'm trying to do better by making more eye contact (something I'm horrible at), acknowledging the presence of others, and getting away from the computer even more. And it's not because I have this thing against technology or that I'm trying to be a "purist." (Anyone who knows me knows that technology is a huge part of my life.) But I am growing in belief that we were created to be present with one another and that we're

Advent is soon upon us and one of the themes of Advent is that of presence. You know, the whole notion that through Advent we wait for the coming of the Lord, who then comes by incarnation (presence!). Advent Conspiracy does a great job of challenging us to think about this: Spend less, give more. Less presents, more presence. Sounds good to me.